The military apologize!
Two Egyptian generals offered an unusual apology on Thursday for the killings of protesters in Tahrir Square, the iconic landmark of the country’s revolution, as violence around the huge plaza was reported to have eased in the early hours after five days of intense clashes between security forces and protesters demanding an end to military rule.
“The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces presents its regrets and deep apologies for the deaths of martyrs from among Egypt’s loyal sons during the recent events in Tahrir Square," the military said in a statement on a Facebook page. “The council also offers its condolences to the families of the martyrs across Egypt.” ...NYT
But they're not going anywhere soon.
At the same time, the military that seized power with Mr. Mubarak’s fall has rebuffed protesters’ demands to surrender authority this week, and the political elite has seemed paralyzed or on the defensive over the unrest. ...NYT
And neither are the protesters in Tahrir Square.
Crowds still gathered in a street leading to the Interior Ministry, but the cacophony of tear gas rounds, chants, and the cries of protesters ferrying the wounded had diminished. Vendors were still doing brisk business selling gas masks.
"The army can’t retake control of the square anymore," said Sherif Ibrahim, a high school teacher "It’s just not possible." ...NYT
Looks like the people have the edge... for the moment.
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From the Guardian's blog, twelve minutes ago.
11.05am GMT / 6.05 ET: As the elections are back on in Egypt we all need to get our heads around how the complex process is going to work.
It's tricky stuff, as Michael Collins Dunn of Washington's Middle East Institute warns:
I have a Ph.D. and know Arabic and first went to Egypt nearly 40 years ago and I can't figure it out. The utterly corrupt and fraudulent old electoral system was easier to understand, though also befuddling, but at least you knew what the final step was: "Step 67: Government makes up its desired results. Publishes them." Now, nobody understands it.
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NPR reports pretty heavy pressure coming from the US on the Egyptian military -- a possible reason for the apology.
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Elections are likely to be delayed.
Voices calling for a delay are growing, despite Egypt’s military chief’s insistence that the elections will be held on time. The Muslim Brotherhood, the nation’s largest and most organized political force, is pushing against a delay because it expects big parliamentary gains. The United States is also urging Egypt’s leaders to proceed with the elections, even though, in private messages, it is acknowledging that worsening violence could make voting impossible. ...WaPo
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Atlantic has photos of the protesters, including this one of an American contribution to the control of protesters.
